CHAPTER TWELVE: A KISS

It’s Monday morning and we've just arrived at school. Oli parks the car so we each grab our things and head for our dorm.

Zhena isn't crying anymore but she's still quiet the whole time. My phone vibrates, so I take it from my pocket.

I hand-signed to Oli that I had to answer dad's call. He gestured that he would take Zhena to the cafeteria.

I took my call and continued walking through to our dorm room.

"Hey, dad," I greeted, answering his call,

"Hey, how are you?" he asks. I shrug my shoulders and drift my eyes away from some people who are looking at me.

"I'm doing fine, how about you?"

"Well, we're fine, and Lorraine wants to talk to you," he said.

I raise my left eyebrow and slowly nod my head.

I wait. Then, after a whole minute, Lorraine finally speaks up, "Hello, Lara!" she greets. I smile as I step into the elevator.

"Hello, there," I greet back. I hear her giggles, which makes me smile, and tear up a little, at the same time.

Lorraine and I used to play when we were children, and that makes me emotional, cos hearing her giggles again is a heaven. It’s been so long since I've heard that giggle of hers.

"I have an event soon, Lara. Would you be able to come? Our teacher said we should bring our families...We aren't a family without you, Lara," she added, dramatically.

My smile slowly fades as I hear her saying that. "Ahhm, I'm not sure I can do it, Lorraine. But would you mind telling me when exactly this event is gonna happen?"

"On Friday, Lara."

"You mean this Friday?" I ask, as I step out from the elevator. I continue walking to our dorm room. I clamp my phone between my right shoulder and ear, so that I can grab the key from inside my bag.

"Yes, this Friday. Are you...err... available that day?" she asks,

I stop searching for the keys and stand up straight. I was about to say something but I immediately stopped talking and gulp when I suddenly notice that our door is already slightly ajar.

"Hello? Lara? Still there?" Lorraine asks. I gulp once again. I try not to make any noise as I gingerly step back.

I stop, ten steps away from the door. I whisper to Lorraine, "I'll call you back, later. My professor is here..." and end the call.

I put my phone down and slid it into my back pocket. I slowly walk towards the door as I reach for the door-knob.

My heart is beating faster and I’m imagining all kinds of scary things that might happen when I enter our room. I keep on gulping and I can feel the cold sweat trickling down my temples.

I take a deep breath and slowly open our dorm room. I gasped as I see a terrible mess inside our dorm!

Everything is messed up. From the beds to our clothes!

"What the... what happened?!" I ask myself as I turn to look around our dorm. Even the bathroom is really messy and horrible!

I slap my forehead as I try to imagine what should I do first. I don't know what to do!

I sigh and look up to the ceiling. I think of calling Oli, so I stand up straight, and take my phone from the back pocket of my jeans.

I call Oli but he isn't picking up. So I try again. I put my bag on my bed, and walk towards the window. I open it, so I can smell the fresh air outside, hoping it will help calm me down.

Oli still isn't picking up. So I ended the call and was about to try again, when I notice something on Zhena's study table.

My forehead furrows as I realize it’s a letter. I walk over and pick it up. My eyes suddenly widen when I see that it’s from Alias Joe.

I turn around and start to wonder whether it might be Alias Joe who had made this mess. Maybe he has stolen something from us!

I was about to run and ask for help, when I suddenly remember the letter. It’s on Zhena's table...so I guess it is meant for her.

I waste no time in opening it. It reads:

To Adam's Daughter,

Be careful what you wish for. The money is for the people...not for your own needs and wants. Be careful, Zhena... I'm not done yet ;)

Alias Joe

I knew it! It wasn't a love letter or a friendly letter. It’s pretty much a death threat! I crumpled the letter in my right hand. Someone reaches in and closes the door. I can’t really tell who it is. It wasn't Oli...

He’s six feet tall… He’s wearing a black hoodie, black jeans and a pair of sneakers. He's also wearing a full face mask. So his face is hidden.

Is this... Alias Joe?

I look up, as he slowly turns to face me...my breathing is fast now.

He stares at me. It sends shivers down my spine and I feel really scared, now that I am facing him...

He is wearing colored contact lenses... His fake blue eyes stare at mine. He glares at me as if this is the end of my life. I step backwards... And yes, I can tell that he is indeed alias Joe, a six-feet-tall masculine guy.

"Alias Joe..." I I hear myself whimper, as I try to catch my breath.

He walks over to me and suddenly pins me to the wall.

I close my eyes and cover my face with both of my arms, in desperate defense.

"Do not interfere with my plans...Lara," he warns me, spitting through his teeth. I squeeze my eyes shut as tightly as I can. His voice is so scary; deep and creepy.

Suddenly, silence. When I felt he had left, I softly lower my hands and gradually open both eyes.

But, shit!! To my surprise, alias Joe is still right in front of me.

I’m about to shout out. But suddenly, he grabs my neck in his powerful hands and pins me to the wall again. I gulp, and begin to cry.

I am really scared now but I don't know what to do. What can I do?

Alias Joe, staring at me like a madman, moves his hands to his mask and begins to remove it. He starts pulling it upwards. But before I get a chance to see his face...he suddenly covers both of my eyes, using his other hand.

I can’t move. I can’t do anything. I am scared of what might happen if I try to move.

Suddenly, I freeze and I’m shocked by what he does next...

He kisses me…

On my lips...

My eyes widen as I feel his soft lips capturing mine. The most unbelievable part is...I didn't cry. I’m not getting the anger that I'm supposed to feel. I'm not even feeling scared... In fact, I feel safe, secure, and loved ‘cos of that kiss... A kiss from a criminal!

Suddenly, I hear a loud bang. It sounds like someone opening the door. Alias Joe quickly withdraws his lips from mine. And before I can even open my eyes, he suddenly turns me around. Now, I'm facing the wall, still shocked by the kiss...and, maybe even more, by what I felt.

"You!!" shouts from someone. Tears started to well up my eyes as I recognize that voice...

It’s Tyler!

Then, Alias Joe lets go of me. And then I hear somebody’s footsteps, running away from here. I guess that must be Tyler, chasing after alias Joe.

I fall to the floor, feeling absolutely lousy.

I simply can’t think straight. That criminal kissed me. He kissed me! The lips of alias Joe!

"Lara!", I heard someone shout. And that was the last thing I heard before I fell asleep.

-to be continued...